Yesterday

Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain introduce Curious Cases

Hello, You’re Dead to me listener. Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain here, we thought you might like to know we have a brand-new series of Curious Cases. To start things off we look into the world of crabs and look into the possibility of us all eventually turning into crab like being ... Show More

31m 23s

Oct 3

Marie Antoinette: last French queen before the Revolution

Greg Jenner is joined in the eighteenth century by historian Professor Katherine Astbury and comedian Jen Brister to learn about French queen Marie Antoinette. Born an Austrian princess, Marie Antoinette went on to be the last queen of France before the Revolution and the aboliti ... Show More

57m 43s

Sep 26

Hannibal of Carthage: fearsome enemy of ancient Rome

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient North Africa by classicist Professor Josephine Quinn and comedian Darren Harriott to learn about Hannibal of Carthage and his war with Rome. Located in modern-day Tunisia, Carthage was once a Mediterranean superpower that rivalled Rome. In 218 BCE ... Show More

55m 21s

Sep 18

Tutankhamun (Archive Episode)

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the discovery in 1922 of Tutankhamun's 3000 year old tomb and its impact on the understanding of ancient Egypt, both academic and popular. The riches, such as the death mask above, were spectacular and made the reputation of Howard Carter who led t ... Show More

53m 28s

May 2025

Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History | Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid

We sit down with Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and The Birth of History" an honorary fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford. She takes us on an incredible journey through ancient Mesopotamia, exploring the region's rich history, ... Show More

1h 3m

Aug 2024

Constantinople

From humble beginnings as a modest Greek colony, through its later grandeur as part of the Roman and Ottoman Empire, the city of Constantinople has witnessed centuries of transformation. A melting pot of cultures and religions, it was the bridge between the East and West, where i ... Show More

59m 55s

Jan 2025

Sargon of Akkad

Over 4,000 years ago, Sargon of Akkad carved his name into history by forging what many consider the world’s first empire. But who was this enigmatic warlord, and how did he transform from a man without a dynasty to the revered founder of the Akkadian Empire? In this episode of T ... Show More

43m 21s

Dec 2024

Munich

Munich may be well-known for its sparkling, aromatic Christmas markets. But beyond the foaming steins of beer and the wafting aroma of glühwein, it’s also a city that has experienced both greatness and turbulence over more than eight centuries, growing from ecclesiastical beginni ... Show More

38m 37s

May 2025

Gods, demons, witches and exorcists: inside an ancient Assyrian library

In the seventh century BC, the ancient Assyrian king Ashurbanipal created a gigantic library in his capital city – one that contained centuries of wisdom. And this vast wealth of ancient knowledge can reveal a lot about how the people of the Near East thought about their gods. Dr ... Show More

40m 57s

Jul 2024

Cairo

In episode six of our series exploring the great historical cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, travel writer Paul Bloomfield is joined by Professor Doris Behrens-Abouseif as they journey through the diverse historic quarters of Cairo. Together, they explore its root ... Show More

42m 45s

Nov 2024

Petra

Petra, the ancient city carved into the sandstone cliffs of Jordan, is a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of the Nabataean civilization. Established in the 4th century BC, Petra's strategic location along trade routes fueled its prosperity. The Nabataeans carved impressive ... Show More

11m 48s

Aug 21

Ashurbanipal: The Last Great King of Assyria

Known as the 'King of the World' and the last great king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal bestrode the ancient Mesopotamian world as a warrior but also a scholar, ruling the great Assyrian empire at the height of its power.In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Assyriologist Dr Sel ... Show More

52m 11s

Sep 25

Inanna: Mesopotamian Sex Goddess

Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kate Lister to take us on a journey through the fascinating history of Innana, an ancient goddess of love, war, fertility, and political power. They delve into her evolution from a humble agricultural deity to one of the most powerful and complex f ... Show More

41m 43s

Alexandria: city of knowledge and cultur...